$~31 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + CONT.CAS(C) 923/2025 and CM APPLs.38032/2025, 61205/2025 SHRI SHIV VENKATESWAR MANDIR THROUGH ITS PUJARI .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Yogeshwar Krishna, Advocate.

versus LAV AGGARWAL, IAS & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Manas Kumar, Advocate.

Ms. Zubeda Begum, Adv. for NDMC.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN DATTA

O R D E R

% 23.02.2026

1. At the outset, with consent of learned counsel for the petitioner, the respondent no.3/NDMC is deleted from the array of parties.

2. It is further submitted that necessary steps have been undertaken by the petitioner to implead the incumbent Resident Commissioner-cum-Estate Officer, State of Andhra Pradesh.

3. Let an updated memo of parties be filed by the petitioner within a period of one week from today.

4. The present petition has been filed by the petitioner alleging wilful disobedience and non-compliance of the order dated 19.05.2025 passed in W.P.(C) 6336/2025. The said order reads as under:

“1. The present petition was filed by the petitioner on the apprehension that demolition action was sought to be taken against a temple located within the precincts of Andhra Pradesh Bhawan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi.

2. In the circumstances, the following order was passed by this Court on

12.05.2025:

“3. The present petition has been filed by the petitioner being the Pujari/Sevadar of a temple allegedly established in the year 1970 in the vicinity of Andhra Pradesh Bhawan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi which was later divided into two parts i.e., Andhra Pradesh Bhawan and Telangana Bhawan.

4. It is submitted that the temple has been functioning since the year 1980. The petitioner’s father was the founding pujari of the temple.

5. It is submitted that after the demise of the petitioner’s father, the petitioner has been acting as the pujari and has been taking care of the temple and the deities installed there.

6. It is submitted that the occasion to file-the present petition has arisen because certain officials of the Andhra Pradesh Bhawan have verbally threatened the petitioner that the temple shall be demolished.

7. The petitioner apprehends that precipitative action may be taken by the concerned officials without adhereing to the due process of the law, resulting in irretrievable injury to the petitioner and also causing prejudice to the large number of devotees who visit the temple.

8. Issue notice to the respondents, returnable on 19.05.2025.

9. Let the respondent no. 1 and 2 be served through the concerned Resident Commissioner.

10. Let the respondent no.3 be served through all permissible modes, including through the concerned Standing Counsel.

11. In the meantime, in view of the circumstances set out in the petition, it is directed that till the next date of hearing, status quo shall be maintained as regards the temple referred to in the present petition.

12. The water and electricity connection to the temple premises (if preexisting) shall not be disconnected.

13. List on 19.05.2025.

14. Copy of this order be given dasti under the signature of Court Master.''

3. Mr. Luthra, learned counsel for the respondent no.l enters appearance. He has handed over a copy of an affidavit, stated to have been filed on behalf of the respondent no.l, in which it has been averred that the petitioner has no legal right whatsoever in respect of the temple in question. He further submits that at present, no action as regards demolition thereof has been initiated so far by the respondent no.l. As such, the apprehension, on the basis of which the petition was filed, is unfounded.

4. He further submits that if and when any action is proposed to demolish/relocate the temple in view of the proposed re-development of the Andhra Pradesh Bhawan, the necessary procedural requirements, including those contemplated under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, shall be strictly adhered to.

5. the above statement is taken on record.

6. In the circumstances, no further orders are